Southern Alamance's Durham picks UNCG

For Southern Alamance pitcher Alex Durham, his college decision became a no-brainer a couple months ago.

So the rising senior made a verbal commitment to UNC Greensboro for baseball, with the program offering an ideal option.

“When they gave me the offer, I just wanted to go ahead and commit to them,” Durham said. “It was nice to get it out of the way.”

Durham pledged his commitment to UNCG at the end of April, he said. UNCG saw Durham, who completed his first season with the varsity program this past season, throw a bullpen session at Southern Alamance in the fall and also came to a game during the season.

The proximity of UNCG played a major role in Durham’s decision.

“I just didn’t want to be far from home,” Durham said. “My parents can watch my games and I can go home when I have off time.”

By making his choice more than a year ahead of his graduation, Durham said he’ll be relieved to avoid distractions during the high school season.

“(I’ll) probably be a lot more focused on pitching instead of wondering who’s coming to see me pitch or who to impress,” Durham said.

The right-handed starter said he has “topped out” with his fastball at 92 mph and that it usually sits at 90-91 mph. His repertoire includes a curveball and changeup, although he’s looking to add another pitch.

“I’ve been working with my pitching coach, trying to add a cutter,” Durham said, “a strikeout pitch, hard fastball that just tails a lot.”

Durham joined the Carolina Stars last fall and has continued to play for the showcase team based out of Raleigh this summer.

He said he has received contact from two teams — the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers — about possibly being drafted following his senior season.

But Durham said he would be leaning toward keeping his college commitment.

“Just to go ahead and get my education while I’m playing baseball,” Durham said of his reason for leaning toward college.